Minister Helen McEntee is visiting Lebanon to address the death of Private Sean Rooney, who was 23 years old when he was killed in December 2022. Private Rooney died while serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) after his convoy was attacked while heading towards Beirut Airport. During the visit, Minister McEntee will meet with officials including President Joseph Aoun, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Youssef Rajji, and Minister of Justice Adel Nassar. Minister McEntee stated, "Ireland's peacekeepers have made an extraordinary contribution to peace and stability in Lebanon over almost five decades." She added, "I look forward to meeting our personnel on the ground, to thank them for their service, and to see first-hand the important work they continue to undertake."
Seeking Justice for Rooney
Trooper Shane Kearney suffered severe injuries during the December 2022 attack that resulted in the death of Private Sean Rooney. Both soldiers were serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon when their convoy came under fire while traveling toward Beirut Airport. Trooper Kearney required intensive medical treatment following the incident, which occurred as the personnel moved through the region. Irish authorities have maintained a focus on the circumstances surrounding the assault on the convoy. Minister Helen McEntee is expected to discuss the ongoing legal proceedings related to the attack during her meetings with Lebanese officials. Accountability for the incident remains a primary objective for the Irish government as the investigation into the actions against the peacekeepers continues.
Decades of Irish Peacekeeping
Ireland has maintained a continuous peacekeeping presence in Lebanon since 1978. Throughout this period, Irish military personnel have served at various locations, including Camp Shamrock. This long-standing commitment has involved rotating contingents of troops working alongside the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon to monitor the region.
Irish military contribution to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon is entering its final phase. Officials in Dublin have indicated that the transition marks a shift in the nature of Ireland’s involvement with international security operations. This conclusion of the mission follows nearly five decades of deployment by the Irish Defence Forces. Personnel currently stationed in the country are expected to manage the drawdown of operations as the deployment reaches its scheduled end.
